CDC’s What Works in Schools: A Cost-Effective Way to Improve Adolescent Health and Wellbeing

• In Event: Federal Agency Poster Session

Abstract

Despite significant progress in research, practice, and policy, negative outcomes in many youth health risk behaviors persist. Health risks such as sexual risk behaviors, poor mental health, suicide, violence victimization, and substance use have an impact on youth. Consequences of these risks extend beyond health and wellbeing during adolescence and are related to outcomes in adulthood. CDC is a leader in using data to drive action to address these harmful experiences. CDC’s school-based surveillance systems—including the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and School Health Profiles—provide data that inform programs and policies to improve students’ lives. During the last 10 years, CDC data show progress in adolescent sexual risk behaviors and high-risk substance use, but these data also show concerning upticks in adolescents experiencing violence and poor mental health.

Schools are a critical venue for increasing the health and wellbeing of all youth. CDC, through its Division of Adolescent and School Health, established its What Works in Schools program that is effective in addressing some of these harmful experiences and improving the health and wellbeing of youth. Current funding supports 2 million students across 28 school districts at a cost of $10 per student. School districts implement three proven strategies in middle and high schools: delivering quality health education; connecting youth to needed health services; and establishing safe and supportive school environments.

In schools implementing this approach students were less likely to have ever had sex, have four or more sexual partners, be currently sexually active, miss school because of safety concerns, be forced to have sex, or use marijuana. The What Work in Schools program maximizes the protective effects of safe and supportive school environments, including through school connectedness. When students feel safe and connected with a supportive school community they do better emotionally, socially, and academically. CDC’s research shows that when students feel more connected in their schools they have better health, psychological, and social outcomes more than 20 years later. Taking this school-based health promotion and primary prevention approach to adolescent health prepares youth for a healthy future.

Group Authors

CDC/DASH staff

Authors

• Jorge Vallery Verlenden, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Presenting Author

• Kathleen Krause, CDC
  Presenting Author